Toilet bowl brush container system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A toilet brush container system includes a container forming an interior cavity to receive a toilet brush, the container having a locking mechanism; a lid to seal against the container, the lid having an exterior wall; an interior wall; a channel formed between the exterior wall and the interior wall to receive a top edge of the container; a release to engage with the locking mechanism; pressing the release allows the lid to be removed from the container.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems, apparatus, andmethods of using a toilet bowl brush and storage container. Further, thepresent invention relates to a toilet brush that is easily stored in astorage container. More specifically, the invention is related to acombination toilet bowl brush and storage container, wherein the toiletbowl brush is configured to seal the storage container.

2. Description of Related Art

Toilet bowl brushes for cleaning the inside bowl portion of the toiletare well known in the art. Storage containers are also well known in theart. However, one of the problems commonly associated with these devicesis difficulty to contain dripping of liquids after the user has cleanedthe toilet with the brush while attempting to store the brush for lateruse. For example, the user must use a toilet brush to clean the bowl ofthe toilet. While bringing the toilet brush from its storage location,which may or may not be a covered location, it is difficult to not letany previous liquids from cleaning the toilet drip onto the user orsurrounding area. Additionally, once the user has cleaned the toiletbowl, it is difficult to replace the now wet toilet brush in its storagelocation.

Although great strides have been made in the area of toilet bowl brushesand storage containers, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a toilet bowl brush container system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the system of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is an interior bottom view of the lid of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of use of the system of FIG. 1.

While the system and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional toilet bowl brushes and storage containers.Specifically, the system of the present application is utilized toeasily store a toilet brush in a sanitary manner and protect the userand surroundings from liquid dripping off the toilet brush after use.These and other unique features of the system and method of use arediscussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1is a front view of the toilet bowl brush-storage container system 101 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. Itwill be appreciated that toilet bowl brush storage container combinationovercomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associatedwith conventional toilet brushes and storage locations.

In the contemplated embodiment, the toilet brush with storage containersystem 101 includes a storage container 107 preferably composed of asturdy and protective material that is easy to sanitize and allows theuser to easily store the toilet brush without creating additional messesfrom liquids that may drip from the toilet brush after use. In oneexemplary embodiment, the material could be composed of a rigid plastic.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system 101 of a toilet bowl brush configured toseal a storage container, the toilet bowl brush portion of the presentinvention includes a handle 103, a lid portion 105 made from the samematerial as the handle. In the preferred embodiment, a release mechanism111 is located on the lid and is configured to engage with a lockingmechanism 113 on the container such that the user can press the release111 to release the lid from the container. The release mechanism 111 isconfigured in such a way that when the user needs to use the toilet bowlbrush, pressure can be applied to the release which releases the lid 105from the storage container 107. In similar manner, when the user needsto store the toilet brush, the brush can be placed inside the storagecontainer 107 and pressure is applied downward so that the lid 105clicks into place through the release mechanism 111 and locking device113.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the system 101 can include a brushattachment location 115 which can be a threaded engagement or the like,thereby allowing for the user to remove and replace the toilet bowlbrush as desired.

In FIG. 2, the system 101 is shown in a closed position. It should beappreciated that the brush (not shown) can vary in shape, size, andmaterials, and is configured to be secured in the container when not inuse, thereby providing for improved sanitation.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an underneath, interior view of lid 105 isshown. Lid 105 having one or more release mechanisms 111 a-b, which inthe preferred embodiment are buttons configured to release a catch 301which is configured to engage with the locking mechanism 113 on thecontainer. The lid includes a channel 303 which is configured to receivethe rim of the container such that the catch 301 engages with thelocking mechanism. In one embodiment, the catch 301 includes an angledsurface which is configured to engage with a cutout. As the release ispushed, the angled surface is pushed away from the cutout on thecontainer, thereby releasing the lid. As shown, the lid 105 includes anopening 305 in which the handle is secured.

The lid as depicted can vary in shape, however, one of the uniquefeatures believed characteristic of the present invention is that thelid is configured to seal around the edge of the container to seal inbacteria and germs. This feature is achieved via the channel 303 createdbetween an exterior wall 307 and an interior wall 309 of the lid and thelocking and release mechanism discussed above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart 401 depicts the preferred method ofuse of the present invention. The method comprises providing a containerand toilet bowl brush configured to be stored in the container 403,pressing the release button on a protruding lip portion of a lidconnected to the toilet brush 405, removing the toilet brush from thecontainer 407, using the toilet brush to clean a toilet 409, placing thetoilet brush back into the container and pressing a lid portion of thetoilet bowl brush onto the top of the container until it clicks to lockinto place 413, thus sealing the brush inside the storage container.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet brush container system, comprising: acontainer forming an interior cavity to receive a toilet brush therein,the container having a locking mechanism; a lid configured to sealagainst the container, the lid having: an exterior wall; an interiorwall; a channel formed between the exterior wall and the interior wallto receive a top edge of the container; a release configured to engagewith the locking mechanism; wherein pressing the release allows the lidto be removed from the container.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein therelease is a button.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the lid furthercomprises: a catch configured to secure to the locking mechanism.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising: a handle configured to extendfrom the lid.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: anattachment device configured to removably receive a toilet brush.